32 Watercolor artist | FEBRUARY 2019
“I’ve always loved city street scenes with buildings
and people hurrying around. When I was visiting
Vancouver and saw this scene from the window of
a car, I was struck by the contrast of backlit people
crossing the street with the gray sky. It shows just
a hint of sun coming out on a gloomy, rainy day.
“Using a restricted palette of primary colors, I pour
layers of transparent watercolor to slowly build varia-
tions in hue and value as I develop compositions
focused on light and dark. I use a limited palette
because I can create unity and balance by only using
primary colors. I like the simplicity of it. I vary my pri-
mary colors depending on the subject matter.
“I’m a value painter rather than a colorist, so I enjoy
the pouring technique. It allows me the freedom to
build up color values in a natural way. I improvise when
pouring and tilting the paper to allow the paints to
mingle and blend. My process requires careful appli-
cation of masking fluid to preserve the lightest areas.”JUROR TIP: “My recommendation for entering a national
show would be to just try having fun for a change. If you
paint art with love, love may look back at you—and
maybe win you an award.”
— RON THURSTON“I can imagine Lacy’s
Rainy Day in Vancouver
hanging in my own
living room, which is an
easy way to choose
award contenders. It
may sound subjective,
but personal taste is
important. If this paint-
ing were hung on my
wall, I’d enjoy viewing
it every day. ”
—RON THURSTON, JURORPennsylvania
Watercolor
Society
Angela Lacy
Rockville, Md.
Rainy Day in Vancouver
(watercolor on paper,
14x19½ )